Bottom filling system and apparatus



y 1959 J. F. TYE 2,884,964

BOTTOM FILLING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed May 25, 1956 7 Sheets-Sheet JOSEPH F. TYE

INVENTOR.

BYM

ATTORNEY FIG.2

J. F. TYE

BOTTOM FILLING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS May 5, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 25. 1956 mmN I ll ||||l|. ll-

JOSEPH F. TYE

INVENTOR. 311%,, W

ATTORNEY May 5, 1959 I J. TYE

BOTTOM FILLING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS 7 Sheets$heet 4 Filed May 25, 1956 JOSE PH F. TYE

INVENTOR. YWMW ATTORNEY May 5, 1959 J. F. TYE

BOTTOM FILLING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 25, 1956 JOSEPH F. TYE

INVENTOR.

mi/ainm ATTORNEY May 5, 1959 J. F. TYE

BOTTOM FILLING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 25, 1956 JOSEPH F TYE JNVENTOR.

. W ATTORNEY 2m I r 5 om no v? m 0; Y B m OI .3 on I Rm mom 9m 5m mm 7// 6 2m mom Rm mum :m Pl IN. v Q 9mm L3 .3 5m m m wmm Sum May 5, 1959 J. F. TYE

BOTTOM FILLING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed May 25, 1956 mvm mmn

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JOSEPH F TYE INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent "ice BOTTOM FILLING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Joseph F. Tye, Fort Wayne, Ind., assignor to Tokheim Corporation, Fort Wayne, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application May 25, 1956, Serial No. 587,370

21 Claims. (Cl. 141-128) This invention relates to a bottom filling system and apparatus. More specifically it relates to a system and apparatus for selectively filling from the bottom, the various liquid compartments of a multi-compartment tank such as that of a transport trailer used to haul petroleum or other products.

It is an object of the invention to combine the filling control and venting systems for a bottom filling apparatus with the pneumatic or hydraulic emergency valve system frequently used on such tanks. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide means for venting the compartments, for selecting and conditioning said selected compartments to receive liquid and for stopping the flow of liquid thereto when a predetermined level of liquid is attained therein.

A further object of the invention is to deliver the last portion of the liquid at a reduced rate of flow to top 01f the compartment.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide means for closing the vent, emergency and level control valves after the selected compartment is filled.

Still another object is to provide means for reconditioning the level control means of a compartment for a subsequent operation while the compartment is unloadmg.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel, fluid pressure operated level control valve and an operator therefor.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide fluid pressure means for conditioning a selected compartment for filling or draining.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid pressure operated vent valve.

Still another object is to provide means for unloading a compartment either with or without metering the liquid being discharged.

These and other objects will become apparent from a study of this specification and the drawings which are attached hereto, made a part hereof and in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the liquid and pneumatic systems shown applied to a tank having a number of compartments.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of a liquid unloading fitting, hose and connector.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of Figure 4 showing the portable connector.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the connector of Figure 3 taken substantially on the line 4-4 thereof.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of the connector of Figure 3 taken substantially on the line 5--5 thereof.

Figure 6 is a vertical elevation of the portable connector.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view of the fixed connector mechanism taken substantially on the line 77 of Figure 8.

Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view of the con- 2,884,964 Patented May 5, 1959 nector mechanism of Figure 7 taken substantially on the line 88 thereof.

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view of the mechanism of Figure 7 taken substantially on line 9-9 thereof.

Figure 10 is an elevation, partly in section showing the flow control tubes and their associated valves and valve operator.

Figure 11 is an elevation, partly in section, showing the means for adjusting the tubes and locking them.

Figure 12 is a sectional view of the vent valve.

Figure 13 is a sectional view of the control tube drain valves.

Figure 14 is a sectional view of the emergency valve.

Figure 15 is a view, partly in section, showing the air manifold, control valves and pump.

Figure 15A is a setcional view of the selector valves taken substantially on the line 15A15A of Figure 15.

Figure 16 is a sectional view of an hydraulic pump and reservoir.

Ground system (Figure 1) This is an improvement of the system and structure disclosed in the Patents No. 2,731,029 and 2,678,658 granted January 17, 1956 and May 18, 1954 respectively.

Hydrant valve Referring first to Figure 1, the numeral 1 represents the hydrant valve which has a supply pipe 3, a primary or large valve 5 and a secondary or small valve 7. The discharge from both valves .passes through a check valve 9 to the hose 11 which terminates in the portable connector 13.

Motors 15 and 17 actuate the valves 5 and 7 while control motor valves 19 and 21 are connected by hoses 23, 25 respectively, to the portable connector 13. This structure is described in detail in the Patent 2,731,029 mentioned above so that no further description is believed to be necessary except for the portable connector 13 which will be described in detail below.

Tank system (Figure 1) The connector 13 is adapted to be quickly mounted in liquid tight relation on the fixed connector 27 which is fixedly connected to the tank so as to establish communication between hose 11 and liquid or product manifold 29 from which a number of pipes 31, 33 extend to the emergency or fill and drain valves 35, 37 which are mounted one in each compartment 36, 38 of the tank.

The emergency valves (Figures 1 and 14) contain normally closed poppet type valves 39, 41 which are adapted to be opened by fluid motors 43, 45 shown as diaphragms. The lines 31, 33 are also manually controlled by manifold valves 47, 49 located at the manifold.

The motors or diaphragms 43, 45 are energized in a direction to open the associated valves by air under pressures applied individually by pipes 51, 53 which are selectively connected to the control manifold 55 by manually operable selector valves 57, 59 which automatically vent the associated pipes when the valve is closed. The manifold may be supplied with compressed air by means of a hand pump 61 or a pressure tank, air compressor or the like. For simplicity a hand air pump is shown.

The control manifold 55 is provided with a safety vent valve 63 which is opened when the can box door 531 is closed so that pressure in the manifold will be reduced to atmospheric pressure to insure that all the emergency valves are closed when the truck is ready to move. The manifold is also connected by a line 65 to the various 3 vent valves indicated generally by numerals 67, 69 and which will be described in detail below.

A number of sets of control tubes 71, 73 and 75, 77 are mounted one set in each of the compartments. These tubes are provided with normally closed valves which are simultaneously opened by fluid-motors 79 and 81 respectively which are energized by air supplied from pipes 51 and 53 through branches 83 and 85 respectively.

The control lines 87, 89 and 91, 93 corresponding to the tubes 71, 73 and 75, 77 respectively, are manifolded by pipes 95, 97 to the valves 99, 101 of the fixed connector. Liquid relief valve 103, described in detail below is connected by lines or branch pipes 105, 107 to pipes 95, 97 and to the manifold discharge line 109 by pipe 111 The line 109 may include a liquid meter 113 and a valve 114. The pipe 111 is preferably connected to 109 ahead of the meter so that the liquid drained therefrom will be measured.

When it is desired to unload a compartment without metering, the discharge fitting 115 shown in Figure 2 may be mounted on the fixed connector 27. This fitting is attached to a hose 117 and spout 119 and includes vent lines 121, 123 which communicate with the hose so as to bleed 01f the liquid in the control tubes of the compartment being dumped when the liquid is not being metered.

' Fixed connector (Figs. 7, 8 and 9) The numeral 125 represents the body casting of the connector 27 which is provided with a threaded discharge bore 127-for attachment to the manifold 29. Directly opposite bore 127 is the inlet opening 129.

- A main port defining valve seat 131 is fixed to the body over said opening, by means of the plate 133 and an O-ring gasket 135 is clamped in a dovetail groove 137 formed by the seat and plate and projects beyond the surface of the .plate to establish a seal with the connector 13 or discharge fitting 115 as will be later described.

A valve 139 has its stem 140 mounted for reciprocation in a guide 141 of the body for movement to and fromsealing: relation with the seat 131. A spring 143 normally holds the valve closed. A rack 145 is formed on the stem and meshes with an elongated pinion 147 (Fig. 9) so as to be operated thereby as described below.

The pinion meshes at its upper end with an actuating rack 149 which forms a part of a plunger 150 which is-mounted for reciprocation in a bore 151 of the body.

The plunger projects through an opening 153 in the plate 1 133 and is urged toward said opening by a spring 155.

Plunger 150 has a second rack 157 which meshes with a pinion 159 mounted in a bore 161 of the body. The pinion meshes with racks 163, 165 on the stems 167, 169 respectively of the valves 99, 101 which are reciprocably mounted in the guides 171, 173. The valves engage control port defining seats 175, 177 which are held on the body by the plate 133 and support gaskets 179, 181 in dovetail grooves in the same manner as gasket 135. The valves are urged into engagement with the seats by springs 183, 185 respectively.

Operation It will thus be seen that when the plunger 150 is depressed into the body, the valves 139, 99 and 101 will be opened and when pressure on the plunger is relieved the Portable connector (Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6) The connector 13 comprises a body 194 which defines an inlet opening 195 which is threaded to receive the end fitting of hose 11. The body also defines an outlet opening 197 which is covered by a port plate 199. The plate has a valve seat 201 which is closed by a valve 203 which has its stem 205 reciprocably mounted in a guide 207 in the body. A spring 209' urges the valve closed.

A rack 211 is formed on the stem 205 and meshes with a pinion 213 which is rotatable on a shaft 215 which is rotatably mounted in bearings 217, 219 of the body. The shaft carries a cross-pin 221 which engages lugs 223 on the pinion and constitutes a lost motion device which permits a predetermined rotation of the shaft before the pinion is moved in a valve opening direction and permits free movement of the shaft relative to the pinion in a valve closing direction after the valve is closed.

The pinion meshes with a rack 225 formed on a plunger 227' which is reciprocably mountedin a guide 229 in the body. Plunger 227 carries two opposed racks 231, 233 which drive idler gears 235, 237 which in turn drive racks 239, 241 on the valve stems 243, 245. The stems are reciprocably mounted'in bores 247, 249 and carry valves 251,- 253 which sealingly engage seats formed by the plate 199. Springs 255, 257, 259, 261 urge the valves against their respective seats.

The shaft 215 is formed with eccentrics 263 at each end, which are arranged to enter openings 265 formed in one end of each of a pair of links 267. The opposite ends of the links are pivotally connected to a saddle mem her 269 by means of a cam screw 271 which has an eccentric portion'273 surrounded by a ring 275.

The saddlelmember' has a-top wall 277 provided with aligned, elongated holes 279 which receive shoulder screws 281 which are screwed into the body. The saddle is thus'mounted to reciprocate toward and away from plate 199. The saddle has inwardly directed flange 280 on the top and the two sides which are adapted to engage the rear side of the extended top and side portions of the plate 133 on the fixed connector.

A lever or actuator 283 is fixed to shaft 215 to rotate it so'that cams263' will actuate links 267 to reciprocate the saddle toward and from the plate 199.

The body 194 is provided with bosses 285, 287 which are threaded tore'ceiveelbows 289, 291 to which the hoses 23 and 25. are respectively connected: The bosses communicate with the ports which are controlled'by valves 251, 253 through the passages 293, 295 in the body and the passages 297, 299 of the stems 243, 245.

Operation With the parts in the positions shown in Figures 3 to 9 inclusive, the connector 13 is raised above the plate 133 on the fixed connector, the side flanges 280 of the connector 13 are engaged behind the lateral ends of the plate 133 and the connector 13 is moved downwardly until the upper flange 280 seats behind the top end of plate 133.

various springs will return the valves and associated parts This aligns the plungers 227 .and 150, valves 99-251; 101253 and 139,203. When shaft 215 is first rotated by the lever 283, eccentrics 263 draw links 267 and saddle 269 to the right (Fig. 3) or left as viewed in Figure 6, causing plate 199 to be drawn into sealing contact with the. gaskets 179 and 181 to seal the valve ports of the nozzle and connector valve. Further rotation of the shaft causes pin 221 to engage lugs 223 so that pinion 213 will open valves 203, 251 and 253 and will project plunger 227 through plates 199 and 133 to depress plunger of the connector 27. This motion of'plunger 150, through the various racks and pinions of the connector 27, opens valves 139, 99 and 101. This action is accomplished by a: substantially 90 degree rotation of the lever.

The opening of the valves 139, 203 connects hose 11 in communication withmanifold 29. Opening of valves 251 and:99 establishes communication between hose 23- and tube 97 while valves 101,253 establish communication between hose 25--and tube'95. i

In order to adjust the saddle 269-relative to plate 199 to secure the proper compression of -the gaskets 135, 179 and'181, the cams 273 are rotated and relocked by lock nuts to move the'saddle to the required position with respect-to the ends of the links; 267:

Vent valves (Figure 12) Numeral- 301 represents a flange which is fixed to the top wall of a compartment of the tank to receive the port plate 303 of the ventvalve 67. The plate is seated on a; gasket 3 05. Theplate is recessed at 307; to receive au o-ring gasket 309 and a radial-flange 311 of the valve body313 rests upon the; gasket and iscompressed thereagainst by an. annular washer 315 which isheld down by a portion 31 6 of the housing317.

A guide 319 for the valve stem 321 is centered in the body and a spring 323 acting on a seat 325 on the stem andagainst the guide holdsthe valve 327 on its seat 329.

A diaphragm v 331. is clamped between the housing 317 and a cap 333 by screws334and also serves as a igasket. The diaphragm is provided with the usual, follower cups .335-held together by a bolt 337 which is adapted to engage thevalve stem. The housing 317 is provided with an. atmospheric port 339 and the cap is provided with a tapped boss 341 which receives the tube. 65 and which Commun a es w c amb 4 v h d a hr m,-

Operation or enter a compartment through the associated port 339,

depending on the operation being performed.

Emergency valve Numeral 345 represents the flange of the emergency valve 35 which is mounted on the tank and defines the valve port 347. A sleeve 349 which is fixed to the top of the flange defines discharge ports 351 which communicate with the tank compartment. This sleeve is provided with bayonet slots 353 which receive projections 355 of the valve bonnet 357.

The bonnet is provided with a suitable guide bearing 359 for the stem 361 of the valve poppet 39 which controls port 347 and a spring 363 is compressed between the valve and bonnet to urge the valve toward its seat.

The valve is provided with a depending sleeve 365 which receives a push rod 367 which is attached to a diaphragm 369. The latter is supported on a housing 371, which is fixed to and depends from the flange 345, by means of cap 373 which defines, with the diaphragm, a'chamber 375. The cap has a boss 377 which is threaded to receive the pipe 51 or 53. The housing 371 has a flanged lateral connection 379 which is adapted to be attached to the pipe 31 or 33.

Operation fipring 363 assists in holding the valve closed and insures 6 that itcloses when pressure is.cut.ofi fromboth chamher 375 andhousing 371 When fluid underpressure. isadmitted to chamber.375, the diaphragm forces the valve open and holds it open until the motivating pressure is released.

Control tube mechanism (Figures loand 11)v Numeral 381 represents a. flange which is welded or otherwise mounted in the bottom wall of the tank com partment. To this flange is boltedthe control valve body 383. The body defines twovalve chambers 385, 38 7, valve seats 389, 391, valve guide means 393 and outlet chambers 395, 397 which have threaded outlets 399, 40 1 adapted to receive the tubes 89 and8 7 respectively.

Valves 403, 405, which may he termedffill control valves, have stems 407, 409 of rectangular cross section' which are guidedinports 393 and are urged towardiclos ing position with respect to the seats 389, 39.1 by springs 411, The valve stems do not fill th portsso thatfliguid passing the valves from chambers 385, 3.87 will. pass through the ports tothe chamber 395 or 397.

A fluid motor 79 (81 is fixed to the bottom of the body 383 and comprises a body 415 a and. a cap 417 which clamp between them the diaphragm 419 to which is attached a push rod 321. A trough like interponent' 423 is attached to the rod and, simultaneously actuates two plungers 425, 427 which are slidably mounted in suitable bossesof the body 383 in a position to engage respectively, the valve stems 407 and 409. v

The cap 417 forms with the diaphragm 4 19 a chamber 431 which has a tapped boss 433 which is adapted to receive tube 83 or 85.

The upper portion of the body is formed. with a flange 435 on which the tube flanges 437, 439 are mounted. The tubes 441, 443 are mounted in the flanges. The tubes may be pressed or otherwise securely fastened in the tube flanges.

A threaded ferrule 445 is preferably sealingly fixed to the upper end of each of the tubes 441, 443 (Figure 11) and a nut 447 is mounted thereon to compress an O-ring gasket 449 against the ends of the tube and ferrule. Telescopic-ally fitting tubes 451, 453 are inserted in tubes 441, 443so that the effective height of each control tube 71, 73 may be varied. The effective height of the tubes is maintained by a. clamp 455 which has a pair of bifurcated bosses 457, 459 which are adapted to be tightened on the ferrule 445 and on the upper tube 453 respectively by means of bolts 461 and 463. The nut. and screw portions of the bolts maybe drilled to receive. a seal wire 460.

It is preferable to insert a long bolt 461 in the holes 462, and through a spacer 465, disposed between the lower bosses, so that the two tubes mutually support each other and render the structure more rigid.

Operation As will be explained below the levels of the tops of the tubes 451, 453 will determine the level at which the loading operation will be slowed and that at which it will stop. Each compartment is calibrated by an inspector of weights and measures and must be filled with the amount for which the tank is calibrated to within allowable tolerances.

To adjust the effective heights of the control tubes 71, 73, 75. or 77, the seal wire is broken, bolts 461, 463 and packing nuts 447 are loosened and the tubes 451, 453 are manually adjusted until the proper level is found. The parts are then restored to their initial clamping. and sealed condition.

Whenever loading or delivery occurs as described above, the fluid motor 79 will be energized and the diaphragm 419 will move the trough 423, tappets 425, 42 7 and valves 403, 405 to the valve open position so that liquid entering the control, fllbfis W ll QW 9 fi. 19. 5.

valves 19 and 21 when the required liquid levels are attained during loading or so that the tubes will be drained throughthe hose 117 when unloading.-

Control tube drain valves (Figure 13) The drain valve 103 comprises a body 467 which defines two inlet cavities 469, 471 and two discharge cavities 473,- 475 with valve seats 477, 479 respectively disposed between them. Valves 481, 483 are provided with rectangular stems 485, 487. A spring 493 is provided for each valve to urge it toward its seat and plugs 495, 497 are provided for the inlet cavities, which serve to hold the springs compressed and which are tapped at 499 to receive the tubes 105 and 107 respectively.

, Push rods 503, 505 enter the cavities 473, 475 respectively through suitable bearing bosses on the body and are actuated simultaneously by a common trough shaped follower 507 and cam lever 509 which has a flattened end 519 and which is pivotally mounted on a shaft 511. The shaft is mounted between two spaced ears 513 which depend from the body casting.

The discharge cavities are provided with tapped openings 515, 517 and are preferably connected by a common line 111 to the manifold discharge line 109 upstream of the meter 113.

Operation 1 With the lever 509 in the position shown in Figure 13, the valves are forced into sealing relation with the seats 477, 479 by their respective springs. When the lever 509 is rotated counter-clockwise (Fig. 13), the parts 503, 505 and 507 will be raised to lift the valves simultaneously and liquid will flow from tubes 105, 107 through the valves and into pipes 111, 109 to the meter 113. The flat 519 on the lever will hold the valves open until the lever is manually returned toward its initial position. These valves 481, 483 need to be opened only when the liquid is being unloaded from a tank compartment through the meter, so that the control tubes of the compartment will be drained. They serve the same purpose as that served by the valves 101, 99 and tubes 121, 123 when unloading is accomplished through hose 117 without metering the liquid being dumped.

Air manifold and controls (Figure 15) The air manifold 55 comprises a hand operated pump 61 and a number of three way selector valves 57, 59 each of which has a valve seat 531 which is in communication with the air channel 521 which connects with the discharge line 523 of the pump, and with a port 525 which communicates with the pipe 53 (or 51 etc.) leading to the corresponding emergency valve and control tube valve operating motors. The port 525 also communicates with an atmospheric vent port 527 through a valve seat 529.

The double valve members 528, 530 is mounted on a rotatable stem 532 screwed into the manifold. As the stem moves upwardly, valve 528 will seal seat 529 to close off vent 527 while valve 530 will move away from seat 531 to connect the ports 521 and 525 so that air under pressure will pass from the pump 61 and line 523 through channel 521, seat 531, port 525 and the pipe 53 to the corresponding motors and will energize them to open the associated valves.

When the valve stem is screwed down, valve 528 leaves seat 529 and connects the ports 525 and 527 so that the line 53 will be vented and the corresponding motors will be deenergized so that the associated valves will be closed. Valve 530 moves simultaneously with valve 528 to close on its seat 531. Line 65 is connected directly to the channel 521 at all times so that all of the vent valve motors are operated to open their corresponding valves whenever the channel 521 is pres surized.

A fusible, frangible plug 534 is connected to channel 521 so that in the event of fire which melts the plug or in the event of collision, upset or any other accident which breaks the plug off, any air under pressure in the lines will be vented and thus insure that the emergency, vent and control tube valves will be closed. A self closing valve 63 is also connected to channel 521 and has an operator 535 extending into the path of the door 531 which is provided on the enclosure usually provided for the control apparatus.

When the door is closed, the valve operator is actuated to the valve open position so that any air under pressure in the channel 521 will be vented. Thus, should any of the valves 57, 59 be left in the load or dump position, the corresponding lines 51, 53 as well as line 65 will be vented by valve 63 upon closing of the door to insure that the emergency, vent and control valves are closed when the tank is ready to be moved.

General operation In order to make clear the operation of the system and mechanisms explained in detail above, a complete cycle of operation will be explained.

Assume that the tanker is brought into the bulk tenninal with some compartments empty and some partially filled and that it is desired to fill all of the compartments. Assume also that the various control tubes 71, 73, 75, 77 have previously been set to the proper levels to provide the desired amount of slow fill and the final cut 011 level in the compartment and that the tubes 71, 73, 75 and 77 have been drained.

The driver will pull up to ground valve 1 from which the desired product is dispensed. He will next open the door 531'. This relieves the pressure on valve operator 535 and the valve 63 closes. Opening the door also makes the controls accessible to the operator.

He will next open the door 187 on the fixed connector 27, pick up the portable connector 13 and mount it on the fixed connector by engaging the projecting flanges 280 of the saddle member 269 with the plate 133 and thereafter pushing downwardly thereon. This aligns the cooperating parts of the connectors so that when the lever 283 is next turned approximately 180 to the dashed line position in Figure 6, the saddle will draw the plate 199 into sealing relation with the gaskets 135, 179 and 181 and open the main valves 139, 203 and the control valves 99, 101, 251 and 253. Plunger 227 operates plunger which in turn opens valves 99, 101 and 139.

Next the operator opens door 531 and the proper selector valve, say valve 47, to connect the liquid manifold 29 to the pipe 31 which supplies liquid to compartment 36 through the emergency valve 35. No liquid can flow however since the valve 35 remains closed.

The operator will next actuate valve 57 to close port 529 and open seat 531 and actuate the hand pump 61 to build up the pressure in the air manifold 55 and in line 65 to open the vents 67, 69. The vents of all the compartments are connected to line 65 and will be opened simultaneously. Air under pressure is also supplied to the diaphragms 369 and 419 of the emergency valve 35 and the control valves 403, 405 respectively.

As soon as these valves open, the pressure is relieved in the control lines 87, 89, 95, 97, 23 and 25 so that the motors 15, 17 of the ground valve open both the main valve 5 and the slow valve 7 as described in Patent Number 2,731,029 so that the product will flow through check valve 9, hose 11, valves 139, 203, manifold 29, pipe 31, emergency valve 35 into the compartment 36.

Loading will continue until the level in compartment 36 reaches the top of the control tube 71 and spills into it. As the level of liquid rises in the tube, the hydrostatic pressure in the lines 89, 97, 23 and control a will; all close.

motor valve 19 increases andcauses the motor 15 to close the mainvalve 5. The loading continues at a reduced rate through the valve 7 until the level rises in compartment 36' and overflows into tube 73 wherein the hydrostatic pressure increases and is transmitted through lines 87, 95 and 25 to the control motor valve 21 which then. energizes motor 17 to close the valve 7 and to terminate the flow of liquid.

The operator will then close the liquidmanifold valve 47: and rotate the selector valve- 57' to close seat 531 and open seat 529 which connects port 525 with port 527; and vents the lines 51, 83 and the fluid motors 43, 79 *so that the emergency and control valvesfor the compartment 36.will'close.

The same process may be repeated to fill the remaining. compartments by opening the proper selector valves. When the final loading operation has been completed, the: operator will restore the lever 283 to-its initial position. to close. the valves 139, 203, 99, 101, 251 and 253 and to release the saddle so that the connector 13 may be: removed from; the fixed connector 27 and returned to its storage position- Door 187 on connector- 27 is closed. Whenthe compartment door-.531 isclosed, the valve. operator 535 is actuated to openv valve 63 and return. the air manifold channnel. 521 and pump 61 to atmospheric pressure. Since line 65 to the vent valves is. thus restored to atmospheric pressure, the vent valves Should any of the selector valves be left in the load or; dump position, the venting of the manifold channel 521 will also vent the control valve andv emergency valve motors. controlled by such selector valves to. insure that. the valves. are closed before the tanker is moved.

The same result is attained by the fusing of the plug 5,-3.4? inthe event of a fire in the vicinity of the plug or by the breaking oflf of the plug which may occur in anaccident. or may be done manually in an emergency.

The tank is now hauled to its destination or to a station on. its route and if only a part of the contents of the: compartment isto be dumped, the operator will attachE a hose to the line 109,- open valve 114 and insert the hose nozzle in the fill pipe of the receptacle. Next he; will, open the door 531, the liquidv manifold valve, for example the valve 49, and the drainvalve. 103 for the control lines 105, 107.

Thereafter the selector valve 59 will be rotated to close seat 529 and open 531 and the; pump 61 will be operated to open the vent valves, the emergency valve- 37 and. the valves of the control tubes 75, 77. As soon as the emergency valve opens, liquid will. drain from compartment 38, through the emergency valve 37, line 33, manifold 29, line 109, meter 113, valve 114 and the hose to the receptacle being filled, When the proper amount haspassed through the meter, the valve 114 is closed tostop the flow of liquid. The valves 49'and103 are. then closed, valve 59 is reversed and door 531-" is closed to restore the system to normal. When the hose has been removed from line 109, the tank may be movedto its next station- In the process of unloading the liquid, the tubes 75, 77 which were filled in the loading process,,were drained through valvev 103 and line 111 and the liquid was measured. These tubes are therefore conditioned to permit subsequent reloading of the compartment.

In. the event it is desired to dump an entire comparte ment load, which contains a predetermined quantity since the compartment was filled to a predetermined level determined by calibration at the time of adjustment of the tube. 77, the operator may mount the portable connector 115. to the connector 27 in the same manner as he, would the portable connector 13 by operating the lever 283.

This connector is substantially like the connector 13 except that. it does not contain valves like 203, 251 and but. itdoes. have. an. actuating plunger like- 227 and inv allv other respects is like the connector 13. When the connection has been made and the valves 99," 101' and 139 have been opened by lever 283', the unloading is ready toproeeed in the manner described above. The operator must, of course, open the proper manifold valve, say valve 47, the selector valve 57, and operate pump 61. As liquid drains from the compartment 36, liquid will also drain from tubes 71, 73 through lines 87, 89, 95, 97, 121 and 123 into the hose 117. The control tubes are thus conditioned so that the compartment may be subsequently refilled.

When the compartment has been drained, the operator removes the connector 115, closes valve 47, sets selector valve 57 to, the transport position and closes the door 531 to restore the system to travelling condition.

Thus when all of the required deliveries have been made, the system is ready for reloading. Should it occur that one compartment, such as 38, has had no liquid removed from it, it will be impossible to deliver more liquid to it because the tubes 75, 77 will be full of liquid and when the connection is made between con nectors 13 and 27, the hydrostatic pressure in the tubes will be immediately app-lied to the control motor valves 19 and 21 so that the valves 5 and 7 will be held closed. It is thus impossible to run an already full compartment full compartment over.

In the event a compartment such as 38 is only partially drained, the tubes 75, 77 will have been drained during the partial delivery so that. the compartment may be refilled.

It is occasionally necessary to recalibrate the compartmentseither because of changes in the volume thereof, because of a change in the density of the product being hauled orto comply with road load limits in different states. This may be readily accomplished by breaking and removing the seal wire 460, loosening thebolts 461, 463 and nut 447 and either raising or lowering the associated control tubes the required amount. When the required level of the tube has been established the bolts are again tightened and a new seal is installed.

Pressure tank system It is obvious that by supplying the proper type of fluid motors 79, 81, 43, 45, 331 and the proper type of selector valves 57, 59, oil or other suitable hydraulic fluid may be used to actuate the system.

In such a system a pump and reservoir. of the type shown in Figure l6 may be used'in which 543 represents the atmospherically vented reservoir, 545 is the pump which is operated by the lever 547 through shaft 553, roller 554 and pitman 556. The valve 63 and the vent ports 527 of the selector valves are connected by a return line not shown, to the atmospheric pressure reservoir instead of being vented to atmosphere. Thus when the selector valves are set to the transport position, the liquid pressure on the valve actuating motors will be relieved to atmospheric pressure. Similarly the manifold is returned to atmospheric pressure when the door 531' is closed.

In addition a spring closed relief valve 549 is provided in the pump which is opened by a finger 551 on the pump actuating shaft 553 so that when the pump lever 547 is moved to the lower dashed line position (Fig. 16) the valve. will be opened and connects-the manifold con-- 11 duit 521 with the reservoir so fas-to relieve the pressure"- on the system.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the form, structure and arrangement of parts of the specific embodiments of the invention disclosed herein for purposes of illustration, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, applicant does not desire to be limited to such specific embodiments but desires protection falling fairly within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for filling and draining a tank which comprises a normally closed fill and drain valve disposed in the bottom of the tank, a liquid supply line, means including a valve for connecting said fill and drain valve with the supply line, a first fluid motor adapted, when energized, to open said fill and drain valve, a source of fluid under pressure, a selector valve, operable at will, for connecting said source with said motor, said selector valve having a first position for admitting fluid to said motor from said fluid pressure source and a second posi tion for relieving the fluid pressure in said motor, a pair of control tubes extending upwardly in said tank to diflerent predetermined levels therein, a control line connected with each tube and a fill control valve in each line, a second fluid motor connected in parallel with said first fluid motor for energization simultaneously therewith and connected to open said fill control valves when the second motor is energized.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 including means for simultaneously deenergizing said fluid motors and means for closing said valves when said fluid motors are deenergized.

3. The structure defined in claim 1 which includes a normally closed vent valve disposed in the top of the tank, a third fluid motor adapted, when energized, to open said vent valve and means for connecting said third motor to said pressure source for operation thereby to open said vent valve when pressure is available at said source.

4. The structure defined by claim 1 wherein said second fluid motor includes means for operating both control valves substantially simultaneously.

- 5. The structure defined by claim 1 wherein the fluid for operating said fluid motors is air under pressure.

6. The structure defined by claim 1 wherein the fluid for operating said fluid motors is a liquid under pressure.

7. An apparatus for filling and draining a tank comprising a number of compartments, a normally closed fill and drain valve for each compartment, a product manifold, means including a manifold valve for connecting each fill and drain valve separately to the manifold, a fixed connector having a main port in communication with said product manifold, a normally closed valve for said port, a pair of control tubes extending upwardly in each compartment to different predetermined levels therein, means for connecting all of the corresponding ones of the control tubes with a first control port in said connector, a valve for normally closing said first control port, means for connecting all of the other of said control tubes with a second control port in said connector, a valve for normally closing said second control port, a pair of valves for the control tubes of each compartment, a control manifold, a pump for pressurizing said control manifold, a selector valve corresponding to each compartment, a first fluid motor for each fill and drain valve adapted, when energized, to open said associated fill and drain valve, a second fluid motor for each pair of control valves adapted, when energized, to simultaneously open the pair of valves, one of said selector valves being connected to both the first and second fluid motors of the corresponding compartment, said selector valve in one position serving to admit fluid under pressure to said.

connected motors to open the valves of said compartment 12 and in a second position serving-to relieve'the fluid pres- T. sure in said motors and means for thereupon closing said valves.

8. The structure defined by claim 7 including a nor-. mally closed vent valve for each compartment, a third fluid motor for opening each of said vent valves, and means connecting all of said third fluid motors to said control manifold whereby saidvent valves will be opened. when said manifold is pressurized.

9. The structure defined by claim 7 including a por-- table connector having ports corresponding to said main port and said first and second control ports, means for aligning said fixed and portable connectors to align said ports, means, including an actuator, for clamping said, connectors together in sealing relation, and means operable by said actuator after said clamping has been effected for opening the valves of all of said ports.

- 10. The structurse defined by claim 9 wherein saidclamping means includes a saddle, means for mounting said saddle on one of said connectors for movement to-f ward and away from the ports thereof, interengageable means on said saddle and on the other connector adapted, when engaged, to cause said other connector to move with said saddle towards the ports of said one connector into said sealing relation and means operable by said actuator for moving said saddle.

11. The structure defined by claim 9 including a first plunger mounted in one connector for movement in and out of it, means connecting said plunger for operation by the actuator, and a second plunger mounted for movement in the other connector and disposed in alignment with the first plunger and for movement thereby when said first plunger is moved out of said one connector, and means operable by said plungers of all of said ports when said first plunger is moved out of said one connection while said connectors are clamped together.

12. The structure defined by claim 7 including a housing, having a door, for enclosing said control mani fold, a normally closed valve connected with said mani-- fold, an actuator for opening said valve, said actuator including means extending into the path of said door and operable thereby, as the latter moves to closed position, to open the valve so as to relieve the pressure in said manifold.

13. The structure defined by claim 7 in including a meter connected to said product manifold, a pair of branch pipes, means for connecting all of the corresponding ones of said control tubes with one of said branch" pipes and all of the other control tubes with the other of said branch pipes, a valve in each branch pipe, means for opening said valves simultaneously and means for conducting the eflluent from said last named valves to the inlet of the meter.

14. An apparatus for filling and draining the compart ments of a multi-compartment tank which includes a normally closed emergency valve for each compartment, a fluid motor connected with each valve and energizable to open the valve, means for supplying product selective- 1y to said valves, means for supplying fluid under pres-' sure, means for selectively applying said fluid to the motor of the selected emergency valve, normally ineffective means for each compartment for stopping the flow of product to the selected compartment when the product therein attains a predetermined level, means operable in response to the application of fluid under pressure to said motor for conditioning said flow stopping means to be eflective to stop the flow of product when said predetermined level is attained.

15. The structure defined by claim 14 which includes a normally closed vent valve for each compartment, an additional fluid motor for each vent valve connected to open said valve and connected for operation in response to. said fluid pressure. i

1 1 6. The structure defined by claim 14 wherein nonnal- 1y ineffective'meansiare providedfor each compartment:

13 for slowing the flow of product to the selected compartment prior to attainment of said predetermined level, said conditioning means serving also to condition said flow slowing means to slow the flow.

17. An apparatus for filling and draining a tank which comprises a normally closed emergency valve communi' cating with the bottom of the tank, a product supply line, means including a valve for connecting said emergency valve with said supply line, a fluid motor adapted, when energized, to open said emergency valve, means for supplying fluid under pressure, means operable at will for applying said fluid pressure to said motor, normally ineffective product level responsive means for said tank for stopping the flow of product to said tank when product attains a predetermined level therein, means responsive to the application of fluid pressure to said motor for conditioning said product level responsive means to be effective to stop the flow of product when said predetermined product level is attained.

18. The structure defined by claim 17 which includes a normally closed vent valve for said tank, an additional fluid motor connected to open said vent valve in response to said fluid pressure.

19. The structure defined by claim 17 including nor 14 mally inetfective means for slowing the flow of product to the tank when said product reaches a level below said predetermined level, said conditioning means serving also to condition said flow slowing to become effective when said product reaches said lower level.

20. The structure defined by claim 10 wherein said interengageable means are constructed and arranged, when engaged, to align the corresponding ports of said connectors.

21. The structure defined by claim 7 including a manifold discharge line, meter connected in said line, a pair of branch pipes, means for connecting all of the corresponding ones of said control tubes with one of said branche pipes and all of the other control tubes with the other of said branch pipes, valve means for closing said branch pipes and means for conducting the effluent from said valve means to said line.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

